Finding money for roads


BLADE NZIMANDE

Since its completion in 2010 the inner- Gauteng highway network has contributed greatly to the economic growth of the country’s primary provincial economy and the mobility of its citizens.

It is now clear that the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project resulted in diminished congestion, safer roads, substantially improved traffic flows and a boost to the local economy.

However, it is equally true that the GFIP gave rise to a vehement public debate about the e-toll system used to fund the substantial improvements done to the road network that connect the major metros in Gauteng.

This is an issue that is currently receiving the highest attention with both President Cyril Ramaphosa and myself involved in a process to find an equitable solution for the impasse.

In this process we are consulting widely with the

Gauteng provincial government and stakeholders from business, labour and civil society.

We should take into account that GFIP was just phase one of what was going to be an even greater push for better – and newer – roads to keep the heart of Gauteng and South Africa’s economy moving.

But phase two and three will not come about anytime soon. The construction of future freeways is dependent on the availability of money and the long-term choices we make on how road infrastructure should be funded.

Without a sustainable funding model, we will not have safer roads. There will be more congestion and higher concerns about road safety. The reality is that there is simply not enough money in the national budget to pay for all the roads the country needs.

With all things said, it is essential to strike a balance between the definite need for more and better roads and the undoubted constraint of a lack of funding. If you take the long view, you cannot help but see the value of the work SANRAL has done on GFIP Phase One.



But it also emphasises the importance that road users in Gauteng, and across the country, should start engaging in a mature debate about how they want road infrastructure to be funded.

Blade Nzimande is the Minister of Transport

Roads that sustain Gauteng’s economic growth

SKHUMBUZO MACOZOMA

T he province of Gauteng embarked on an extensive initiative to attract investment and drive sustainable growth in 2018. The success of this initiative will be highly dependent on the availability of quality infrastructure – especially a world-class road network – to underpin the establishment of mega human settlement and revitalise local economies.

The core of this road network is managed and maintained by SANRAL, which was established by the democratic government of President Nelson Mandela as a dedicated roads agency 20 years ago.

SANRAL is mindful of the role we play in the growth of a province that serves as the economic engine room of the country and the entire southern African region.

Major road networks in metropolitan areas are planned years in advance and take into account projections of anticipated population growth, settlement patterns and transport trends. SANRAL’s flagship initiative, the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), is an example of proactive planning that contributed immensely to the growth of the province over the past decade.

SANRAL will continue to work closely with provincial and local government stakeholders to plan, design and build new freeways or extensions to the existing network.

Without these investments in transport infrastructure the province will not be able to meet its objectives and targets. Funding for these necessary projects remains a problem. The matter is now in the hands of the President and the Minister of Transport who are examining all options. While a solution is being sought, Gauteng motorists, and the country in general, should start having honest discussions about how the road infrastructure should be funded.

We are guided by our strategy, Horizon 2030, that was adopted following a broad process of consultation with communities and stakeholders. We also consulted the Transformation Policy which outlines SANRAL’s commitment to transform the construction and engineering sectors and facilitate the wider participation of emerging enterprises, black-owned and women-owned companies, in road projects.

This issue of Hello Gauteng provides road users and stakeholders with a broad overview of successful road projects that have contributed to the economic and social well-being of communities in the province.

SANRAL remains committed to serve Gauteng and we look forward to the contributions we can make in the future to sustain accelerated economic growth and transformation in the region.

Skhumbuzo Macozoma is SANRAL’s CEO

BUILDING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BETTER ROADS

HELLO GUATENG 2019